I didn't read much of this thread. There is something to add from a "Christian" standpoint though.

I believe in the Christian God.(I don't call myself a Christian, because, I would be hypocritical.) That said, I believe that there's many Christians that have a very skewed view of the Bible, and how we as believers should behave.

A little research into a man named John Calvin, will bring some light to the subject. In very short, this man came up with a doctrine for biblical interpretation, government, and believer behavior. This is called the 5 points of Calvinism.

One of the points, (the most important imho) states, "The Church is responsible for dictating the morals of society." You can all imagine what this means. This was only one man's ideas, and it spread, and got accepted. So, now, we have many believers that hold to that one point. They don't even realize it. It's such a convincing argument if you read more into it.

Another point is what's called "The Great Commision." which is where Jesus told the Apostles, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature that will hear it." For some reason, most Christians feel this was a command given them. Okay, that's fine, if you have something you love, you want to share it. However, this was not given to all believers, only the apostles. Infact, the Bible says later, that not all should be teachers, and some were reprimanded for trying to teach and screwing things up.

Now, we get to Sodom and Gomorrah, we all know what happened there, and we all suppose why. Everyone assumes it's because of homosexuality, yet further research provides, that it was just an evil place, and the sexual part was merely a drop in the ocean.

The Bible also says, the Governments are set up by God.

So, now, let's put this together from the average Joe Christian. Since all of this has been spread in various ways, and various interpretations of the Bible, (regardless of what the Bible actually says) We get the Gay Marriage debate.

See, Christians feel it's their duty to stop gay marriage. They feel they're doing God a service, and preserving an institution that God devised for man and woman. As the Bible states. Christians believe that if they "allow" gay marriage, then God will be angry,,,,,At THEM, because they failed. Since they failed to regulate and dictate the morals of society, then God will curse the country and destroy it just like Sodom. What's more, Christians think they'll be included in the destruction.

What isn't realized in most average joe Christians, (those who don't study) is that, if the Bible states that God sets up the governments and the leaders, then, God must've set up the Constitution of the US. That being said, the Constitution gives the right to the pursuit of happiness, AND, the freedom of religion. This bothers me the most. I know people who actually believe the Constitution was set up for Christians, not any other religion. They don't understand, that, the reason Christians are looked down on is not because we're good people. Christians are looked down on for oppression of beliefs and religion. Now, they complain that Christians are losing rights, yet can't understand. The more freedom we allow others, the more freedom we'll have to believe and worship how we want.

They also forget that the Bible says, if people don't want to hear what you have to say, dust your feet.

The Bible also tells Christians, that "if any among you be immoral, etc, etc" cast them out from you, with such do not even eat. Yet they don't understand, that, this is for believers who claim it's okay to be immoral, and still claim to be a Christian. But, on top of that they forget that the Bible says, "If a brother is caught in sin, restore him gently."

On top of all of this, the Bible says, nonbelievers aren't bound by the same "laws" (laws of God) as we are. Even in marriage. If a nonbeliever wants a divorce, it's okay. But, that's another topic.

I hope through all this rambling people will understand the confusion and where the ideas come from that certain Christians seem to hold and express loudly and angry.